Fire extinguishing apparatus



July 25, 1944. n H 'BjQuARFooT l FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1943 2 Shee-ts--Sheeil 1 hre/MMM July z5, 1944. A H. B. QUARFOOT 2,354,611

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS' Filed June 4, 1943 zsheetsK-sheetz Patented Julry 25, 1944 UNITED STATES Pri'rllvfr OFFICE 2,354,611 man EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Harry B. Quarfoot, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Reconstruction Finance Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of the United States Application June 4, 1943, Serial No. 489,667

15 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for employing carbon dioxide as a medium to extinguish, or both to coni-lne and extinguish, res, and has particular reference to improvements in apparatus for this purpose of the general type described and claimed in Williamson and Mitcheltree application, Ser. No. 436,052, iiled March 24, 1942, which has matured into Patent 2,322,758.

vApparatus of the present type and as described and claimed in said Williamson and Mitcheltree application comprises, generally speaking, one or more discharge units arranged to direct a re barrier or screen of carbon dioxide snow and vapor across an opening aording access to an enclosure to confine Within the enclosure any ire which may erupt therein, and also to direct carbon dioxide snow and vapor into the enclosure to smother and extinguish the iire. The discharge unit, or each discharge unit, as the case may be, comprises, generally speaking, a liquid carbon dioxide supply pipe having therein a series of orices for the discharge of liquid carbon dioxide therefrom, and a cooperating bonnet of convolute or spiral form in cross section to segre gate the vapor and snovv resulting from the discharge of the liquid carbon dioxide and to con# trol the iiovv of the segregated snow and vapor in a desired manner.

Long periods of time may elapse between periods of use of apparatus of the type mentioned for re confining and extinguishing purposes; in fact, any given apparatus may never be used actually to conne or extinguish a iire. Yet every such apparatus must constantly be maintained in readiness to perform its confining and extinbient air carries an unusual amount of foreign L matter such, for example, as particles of paint emanating from spray or other painting operations performed in an enclosure which the unit guards.

Accordingly, the general object of the present invention is to provide a discharge unit of the type mentioned embodying simple, practical means to prevent the outlet oriiices in the liquid carbon dioxide supply pipe from becoming clogged with foreign matter and which does not 55 interfere with free discharge of the carbon dioxide through said oriiices Whenever the need for such discharge arises. 'Y

When liquid carbon dioxide is released through the orifices in the supply pipe of a unit of the character mentioned, it expands and its pressure drops with the result that it is converted into a mixture of vapor and snow. T his mixture impinges against and ows around the inner faceof the bonnet and because of the convolute or spiral cross sectional contour of the latter the vapor and the snow are segregated or separated from each other. The bonnet also serves to control the directions of discharge of the gas andthe snoW from the unit. In thisconnection it'is Well known that if a oWing mixture of carbon dioxide vapor and snow encounters an obstruction or impediment in its path it will rapidly build up a bank of snow against the obstruction or impediment. Therefore it is Vimportant in apparatus of the type under discussion to avoid any obstruction or impediment interiorly of the bon-` net against which a bank of snow can accu'm'ulate, as thereby serious interference with proper functioning of the apparatus might and likely would result. Accordingly,`anoth'er special and important object of the present invention is'to provide anti-clogging means for the outlet ori' ces in the liquid carbon dioxide supply pipe of a unit of the type under discussion, which means, when positioned to permit free discharge of carbon dioxide through said orifices into the bonnet of the unit, not only does not act as'an obstruction or impediment to iloW of the mixture of carbon dioxide snow and vapor through the bonnet, but, on the contrary, cooperates With the bonnet to provide a continuously smooth, unbroken surface interiorly of the same over which the carbon dioxide mixture may ovv in the man` ner intended for segregation and directional dis"- charge purposes. In re extinguishing apparatus of the type be ing considered the discharge orces in the supply pipe for the liquid carbon dioxide must be located with respect to the spiral or convolute in` ner face of the enclosing bonnet so that the re# leased mixture of carbon dioxide vapor and snow? will be required to travel a curvilinear path of sufficient length to eiect segregation of the va' por and the snow components before they reach the outlet opening of the bonnet. Consequently; the discharge orices are so located thatthey cannot be inspected to determine whether they are in serviceable condition, or are obstructed',

Without disassembling the bonnet from the carbon dioxide supply pipe. Therefore, it is an iml portant object of this invention to provide anticlogging means which will normally operate to prevent foreign matter from accumulating in the carbon dioxide discharge orifices; which will be moved by the pressure of the carbon dioxide discharging through the orifices into positions that will allow proper flow of the mixture of carbon dioxide vapor and snow through the bonnet; and which readily may be inspected from the exterior of the bonnet to determine whether they are in satisfactory operating condition.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will become more fully apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in apparatus of the general type and for the purpose stated embodying the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims- In the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the different views:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a building structure showing an enclosure, a doorway afford-ing access to the enclosure, and apparatus constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention for employing carbon dioxide as a medium for confining and extinguishing a fire which might occur within the enclosure,

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the structure shown in Fig. 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevation of one of the units ofthe apparatus looking toward the open side of the bonnet thereof,

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevation of the unit shown in Fig. 4 looking toward the outer side thereof,

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical section through the unit shown in Figs. 3 and 4,

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the unit shown in Figs. 3 to 5,

Figure 7 is a cross section through the unit shown in Figs. 3 to 6, and

Figure 8 is anelevation of a fragment of a blank of sheet material from which the bonnet is formed.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A designates a building structure having therein a room or other enclosure, designated as a, and also having therein a doorway or other opening, designated as a', affording access to said room or enclosure a.

TheV room or enclosure a. may be a storage room, a work shop, a paint spray boo-th, or the like, and the general purpose of the present invention is' to provide apparatus for employing carbon dioxide as a medium to confine within said room or enclosure, and to extinguish, any le which may erupt therein.

In accordance with one practical embodiment of the invention and as generally disclosed in the aforesaid Williamson and Mitcheltree application, there is provided, at each side of the door- Way or opening a', a unit, designated generally as B, which is effective, wheneverthe need arises, to direct a screen of carbon dioxide vapor and snow across Said doorway or opening to confine within the room or enclosure a any fire which may erupt therein, and also to direct carbon dioxide vapor and snow into said room or enclosure for the purpose of smothering and extinguishing any fire therein.

Whether two of the units B are employed, one at each side of the doorway or opening a', depends upon the width of said doorway or opening. If said doorway or opening is of considerable width it may be preferable to employ one of the units B at each side thereof. If, on the other hand, said doorway or opening is not of material Width, a single unit B at only one side thereof may suffice. Alternatively, it may be desirable in some instances to employ an intermediate unit or units between an outermost pair of said units B in any instance where a doorway or opening is exceptionally wide. Moreover, instead of the unit, or units, as the case may be, being disposed vertically at one or both sides of a doorway or opening, it, or they, may be disposed horizontally at the top or at the bottom, or both at the top and at the bottom of any given doorway or opening.

Accordingly, referring particularly to the single unit illustrated in detail in Figs. 3 to 7 of the drawings, it will be observed that the same comprises, primarily, a supply pipe IIJ for liquid carbon dioxide having therein, at points suitably spaced apart therealong, a row of orifices II for the outlet of liquid carbon dioxide therefrom, and a bonnet or shield I2 of sheet metal or other suitable material and of convolute or spira-l form in cross section extending along said pipe and partly around the same for the purpose of segregating, and controlling the directions of discharge from the unit, of the carbon dioxide vapor and snow which results from discharge of the liquid carbon dioxide through the orifices I I.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the bonnet I2 is suitably mounted upon the pipe IB. In this connection and as illustrated by way of example in the drawings, a bar I3, substantially co-extensive in length with the bonnet I 2 and with that portion of the length of the pipe II) which has the row of orifices II therein, may be welded or otherwise suitably fastened against the outmay be fastened to said bar, at the side thereof4 nearer the orifices II, by screws I5 or in any other desired manner. In addition, at points suitably spaced along the length of the bar and the bonnet, arms I6 may be welded or otherwise suitably fastened at their inner ends to said bar. The remaining longitudinal edge portion of the bonnet may be marginally fastened to the outer ends of said arms by bolts I'I or in any other desired manner.

The axis of the bonnet I2 is coincident, or substantially coincident, with the axis of the supply pipe IU, and said bonnet extends, in ycross section, from the bar I3 over the orifices II and continues on around the pipe I0 any suitable distance, receding therefrom as it progresses therearound. There is thus defined between the supply pipe I0 and said bonnet I2 a chamber I8 which is co-extensive in length with said bonnet, which is of convolute or spiral form in cross section, which is closed at one side adjacent to the orifices II, which is open at its other side, and which is of progressively increasing width from its closed side toward its open side or mouth. At its ends, said chamber I8 may be closed or open as desired.

Individual to each orifice II is a cover plate I9 which is suitably hinged for swinging movementbetween a closed position, in which it covers its related orifice and excludes vany air-borne foreign matter therefrom, and an open position in which it permits free vdischarge of liquid carbon dioxide from its related orifice.

Preferably the cover plate hinges are disposed beyond the sides of the orifices II which are nearer the closed side ofthe chamber I8 so that when the cover plates are swung open they do not interfere with free fiow'of the carbon dioxide vapor and snow through said chamber I8 toward the open side or mouth thereof. Preferably, too, said cover plates are yieldably urged toward their closed positions so that they are maintained normally closed and so that they may Ibe swung open by thepressure of the carbon dioxide discharged through the orifices II.

It will be understood, of course, that normally the pipe I0 is dry or devoid of liquid carbon dioxide and that liquid carbon dioxide is supplied thereto from any suitable source only when a fireV is to be combated. Accordingly, the cover plates I9 will remain normally in their closed positions preventing any clogging of the orifices II by air-borne foreign matter so that said orifices will always be olpen and unobstructed for free discharge of liquid carbon dioxide through the same whenever liquid carbon dioxide is admitted to the pipe I0.

When liquid carbon dioxideV is admitted to the pipe I0 it discharges therefrom through the orifices II, impinges against the cover plates I9 and swings them open and quickly is converted into vapor and snow which travels spirally through the chamber I8 toward the open side or mouth thereof.

At suitable points along its length and circumferentially thereof the bonnet I2 is provided with openings 2U for the discharge of segregated snow therefrom, and in accordance with the invention tongues 2I preferably are provided for defiecting the segregated snow through said openings, said tongues being constituted, for example, by portions of the bonnet I2 which are struck inwardly therefrom to provide the openings 20 therein.

As the vapor and snow mixture travels spirally through the chamber I 8 the snow tends to crowd outwardly against the inner face of the bonnet I2 because of its greater density. The vapor and the snow thusv are segregated or separated to a very considerable extent, and some of the segregated snow is deected by the tongues 2| through the openings 2li while the main portion of the snow and all of the vapor fi-ow to the mouth of the bonnet I2 from where they are discharged in sheet form into the atmosphere.

Assuming that the unit is used at one side of a doorway or other opening suchas the doorway orV opening a affording access to an enclosure such as the enclosure a, the unit is positioned so that the snow and vapor discharge approximately in the plane of the opening a'-, In this connection it will be observed that the openings 20 are located relatively to the mouth of the bonnet I2 so that when the unit is positioned for discharge of gas from said mouth across the doorway a', said openings 20 are disposed for discharging snow therefrom into the enclosure a. Accordingly, whenever the unit is operated, it serves to direct across the doorway or opening a a barrier or screen of carbon dioxidesnow and vapor to confine Within the enclosure a any fire which may be burning therein, and, at the same time, to direct into said enclosure carbon dioxide snow which will sublime to form vapor for smothering and extinguishing a fire therein, all asmore particularly set forth inthe aforesaid William son and Mitcheltree application.

Reverting to the anti-clogging means for'the orifices II, it will be observed that the least radius portion of the bonnet I2 is provided with a plurality of openings 22, one related to each of the orifices II, and that each of said open-- ings extends from the outer edge of the fiange I4 inwardly into overlying relationship to its related orifice I I. It will further be observed that the cover plates I9 correspond in size and shape to said openings 22 so that if and when they are disposed in said openings they will fill the' same; providing, in effect, smooth -continuations of the wall of the bonnet I2. In fact, the portions of the bonnet wall which are removed to provide vthe openings 22 therein may be employed as the cover plates I9. Thus, each cover plate comprises a main body portion 23 of curved cross section to t into the opening 22 which is contained in the curved portion of the bonnet I2, and a tongue 24 projecting from the outer side of said body portion 23 at an outward inclination thereto.

To the bar I3 are suitably fastened pairs of blocks 25, 25 which are related, respectively, to the individual openings 22 and to the associated cover plates I9. The two blocks of each pair are disposed at opposite sides of the related opening 22 and are connected by a hinge pin 26 which is disposed to engage against the outer face of the related cover plate I9 in the corner of the same at the junction of the body portion 23 with the tongue 24 thereof.

Against the outer face of the bonnet I2 in overlying relationship to the inner end portion of each of the openings 22 therein is suitably fastened a plate 21 to serve as a stop to prevent outward swinging movement of the related cover plate I9 beyond a position in which it registers with its related ofpening. To an outwardly projecting ear 28 on each stap plate 21 is attached one end of a tension spring 29 the other end of which is attached to an outer end portion of the tongue 24 of the related cover plate. Thus,-A

the springs 29 tend constantly to rotate the cover plates I9 about the axes of the hinge pins 26 and to urge the main body portions 23 of said cover plates against the pipe I 0 in covering relationship to the orifices II therein.

Since the curvature of the cover plates I9 is not the same as the curvature of the outer face,

.9.5v they are guided into the openings 22, coming, to rest against the stop plates 21 so that their inner faces form, in effect, smooth continuations of the inner face ofthe bonnet l2. Thus, said cover plates, when opened, do not act in any way to afford obstructions within the bonnet I2 v against which the carbon dioxide snow might collect and form a barrier to free flow of the snow and vapor through said bonnet.

Obviously the unit illustrated may be modifled in many respects without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed.

VHaving thus' described the invention; I`c1aim:' .1.' `A fireextinguishin'g unit comprising a liquid carbon dioxide supply pipe having an orifice therein for discharge of carbon dioxide therefrom, a bonnet of spiral form in cross section extending partly around said pipe to control flow of carbon dioxide vapor and snow resulting from discharge of liquid carbon dioxide through said orifice, a cover for said orifice to exclude foreignl matter therefrom, and yieldable means maintaining said cover normally closed so that it excludes foreignV matter from said orifice and so ythat it maybe opened by the'pressure of carbon dioxide'discharging through said orice, said cover, when opened, being positioned to coopcrate with the bonnet in effecting control of the flow of the carbon dioxide snow and vapor.

' 2. A re extinguishing unit comprising a supply'pipe fora fire extinguishing medium, said pipehaving an orifice for discharge of the medium therefrom, means to control the direction of flow of the medium after its discharge through said. orifice, and a yieldable closed cover for said orifice to exclude foreign matter therefrom and to be opened by discharge of the medium through said orifice into a position where it cooperates with the rst mentioned means to control the direction of flow of the medium.

3. A fire extinguishing unit comprising a supply pipe for a fire extinguishing medium, said pipe having an orifice for discharge of the medium therefrom, a bonnet to control the direction of flow of the medium after its discharge through said orifice, a cover for said orifice to exclude foreign matter therefrom, and yieldable means maintaining said cover normally Vclosed whereby it may be opened by discharge of the fire eX- tinguishing medium through said orifice, said bonnet Yhaving an opening therein to accommodate said cover when it is opened.

4. A fire extinguishing unit comprising a supply pipefor a fire extinguishing medium, said pipe having an orifice for discharge of the medium therefrom, a bonnet to control the direction of flow of the medium after its discharge through saidorifice, a coverV for said orifice to exclude foreign matter therefrom, yieldable means maintaining said cover normally closed whereby it iay be opened by discharge of the fire extinguishing medium through said orifice, said bonnet having an opening therein to accommodate said cover when itis opened, and means to guide said cover into said opening when it is opened. 5. A fire extinguishing unit comprising a supply -pipe for a fire extinguishing medium, said pipe having an orifice for discharge of the medium therefrom, a bonnet to control the direction of flow of the medium after its discharge through said orifice, said bonnet having an opening therein, a normally closed cover for said orifice to be openedV by discharge of the medium through saidorifice,r and means to cause said cover when opened to enter and to come toV rest in said opening in a position to provide in effect a smooth continuation of the inner face of said bonnet.

6. A fire extinguishing unit comprising a supply pipe for a fire extinguishing medium, said pipe having an orifice for discharge ofthe medium therefrom, a bonnet to control the direction of flow of the medium after its discharge through said orifice, said bonnet having an opening therein, a pivoted normally closed cover for said orifice to be swung open by discharge of the medium through said orifice, and stop means to limit opening swinging movement of said cover,

said stop nieansand the pivot for'said cover being disposed so that said covery when opened enters and comes to rest in said opening in a position to provide in effect a smooth continuation of the inner face of said bonnet.

'7. A fire extinguishing unit comprising va supply pipe for a fire extinguishing medium, said pipe having an orifice for discharge of the medium therefrom, a bonnet to control the direction of flow of the medium after its discharge through said orifice, said bonnet having an opening therein, a normally closed cover for ,said orifice to be opened by discharge of the medium through said orifice, means to guide said cover when opened into said opening, and stop means to cause said cover when opened to come to rest in said opening in a. position to provide in effect a smooth continuation of the inner face of said bonnet.

8. A fire extinguishing unit comprising a supply pipe for a fire extinguishing medium, said pipe having an orifice therein for discharge of the medium therefrom, a bonnet of spiral form in cross section extending partly around said pipe to control flow of the medium after its discharge through said orifice, said bonnet having an opening therein, a cover for said orice, means whereby said cover is maintained normally in a position covering said orifice and whereby it may be opened by discharge of the medium through said orifice, said cover substantially corresponding in size and shape to said opening, and means to cause said cover when opened to enter and to come to rest in said opening in a position substantially filling the same and providing in effect a smooth continuation of the inner face of said bonnet.

9. A fire extinguishing unit comprising a supply pipe for a fire extinguishing' medium, said pipe having an orihce therein for discharge of the medium therefrom, a bonnet exteriorly of said pipe to control flow of the medium after its discharge through said orifice, said bonnet having an opening therein, a cover for said orifice, means whereby said cover is maintained normally in a position covering said orifice, said cover being movable to an open position relative to said orice, and means to cause said cover when opened to enter said opening and to come to rest therein in a position in which its inner faceconstitutes in effect a smooth continuation of the inner face of said bonnet.

, 10.,A fire extinguishing unit comprising a supply pipe for a. fire extinguishing medium, said pipe having an orifice therein for discharge of the medium therefrom, a bonnet exteriorly of said pipe to control flow of the medium after its discharge through said orifice, said bonnet having an opening therein, a pivoted cover for said orifice, means whereby said cover is maintained normally in a position covering said orifice, the pivot of said cover being located so that when said cover isswung open it enters said opening, and stop means to cause said cover when swung open to come to rest in said opening in a position with its inner face constituting in effect a smooth continuation of the inner face of said bonnet.

11. A fire extinguishing unit, comprising a liquid carbon dioxide supply pipe having a series of longitudinally spaced orifices formed therein through which liquid carbon dioxide is released vapor and by causing the mixture to travel a curvilinear path to effect segregation of the snow and the vapor components, and cover means for the series of orices normally positioned to close the orifices and being displaced by the pressure of the liquid carbon dioxide when it is released through the orifices, said cover means, when displaced, being positioned to cooperate with the rst mentioned means to effect curvilinear travel of the mixture.

12. A nre extinguishing unit comprising, a liquid carbon dioxide supply pipe having a longitudinal series of spaced orices formed therein through which liquid carbon dioxide is released to effect its conversion into a mixture of snow and vapors, a bonnet, having a longitudinal discharge opening in one side thereof and formed with a curved wall opposite said opening, to house said supply pipe and to receive the mixture of snow and vapor and to cause it to travel a curvilinear path in flowing to the opening to effect segregation of the snow and the vapor components, a cover for each orice of the supply pipe, means for hingedly supporting the covers for movement between positions to close their orifices and positions where they will cooperate with the curved wall of the bonnet to eiect segregation of the snow and vapor components, and means for yieldably holding each of said covers in the position where it will close its oriiice.

13. A re extinguishing unit comprising, a liquid carbon dioxide supply pipe having a series cf longitudinally spaced orifices formed therein through which liquid carbon dioxide is released to eifect its conversion into a mixture of snow and vapor, a bonnet, having a longitudinal di'scharge opening formed in one side thereof and a curved wall opposite said opening, housing said supply pipe to receive the mixture of snow and vapor and to cause it to travel a curvilinear path in iiowing to the opening to effect segregation of the snow and vapor components, means hingedly supported on the bonnet for covering the orifices of the supply pipe to prevent foreign matter from accumulating so as to obstruct the orices and for displacement into cooperative relation With the bonnet so as to help effect segregation of the snow and vapor components, and means for yieldably holding said covering means operatively positioned with respect to said orifices.

14. A fire extinguishing unit comprising a liquid carbon dioxide supply pipe having a series of longitudinally spaced orifices formed therein through which liquid carbon dioxide is released to effect its conversion into a mixture of snow and vapor, a bonnet housing said supply pipe so as to receive the mixture of snow and vapor, said bonnet being shaped to cause the mixture to travel a curvilinear path while flowing therethrough to effect segregation of the snow and vapor components, and means normally covering the orifices to prevent foreign matter from accumulating so as to obstruct the orices and being displaceable by the pressure of the carbon dioxide released through the orices, said cover means, when displaced, being positioned to cooperate With the bonnet to effect curvilinear travel of the mixture.

15. A fire extinguishing unit, comprising a pipe y ceive the mixture deected by the cover to furv ther control its direction of travel.

HARRY B. QUARFOOT 

